ConCert by HIMSS™

ConCert by HIMSS™ Advisory Committee

ConCert by HIMSS™ Advisory Committee Charter

Purpose of the Committee

To advance the state of interoperability in the health sector, HIMSS, IHE USA and the EHR/HIE Interoperability Workgroup (IWG) have joined together to establish a comprehensive health IT product testing and certification program that will streamline the process for achieving connectivity and standards-based data exchange between electronic health record (EHR) and health information exchange (HIE) products. The ConCert by HIMSS™ program will align, advance and promote testing, certification and related activities to more rapidly move the industry forward to achieve widespread interoperability leading to health information exchange.

This robust, highly automated testing and certification program will verify that, once certified, a product is capable of exchanging health information seamlessly with other certified products. With this certification, a single set of standardized, easy-to-implement connections can support communication among systems. An Advisory Committee has been established to advise and oversee the program through balanced governance and key stakeholder representation in alignment with HIMSS vision and mission.

HIMSS Vision

Better health through information and technology

HIMSS Mission

Globally, lead endeavors optimizing health engagements and care outcomes through information and technology

Role of the Advisory Committee Members

Advisory Committee members will provide program oversight, make recommendations on future direction and scope, set priorities, determine program policy, serve as champions for the program, and contribute thought leadership. The Advisory Committee will ensure credibility of the program to clinicians, healthcare provider and vendor organizations, health information exchanges, health information services providers, and the broader health IT industry, bringing greater value to both industry and the Society.

Composition of the Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee will consist of 9 members, each appointed for a two year term by HIMSS Chair/Chair-elect. Committee members should be well-respected thought leaders from the health IT community with an understanding of the importance of standards-based interoperability (e.g. Leaders and C-suite executives of interoperability-focused organizations/initiatives). Balanced representation and transparency will be assured.

The Advisory Committee will, at a minimum, include one representative from each of the following stakeholder groups:

State and/or regional HIEs or networks

EHR Vendors

HIE Vendors

Healthcare provider organizations and/or Medical groups

Clinicians

Payers

Consumers

Additional seats will be reserved for representatives from the program’s founding organizations including: HIMSS, IHE USA, and IWG/NYeC.

Staff Liaisons

James Coates MS, Senior Manager, Technical Projects

Christel Anderson MA, Senior Director, Interoperability Initiatives

Joyce Sensmeier MS, RN-BC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, FAAN, VP, Informatics

Advisory Committee Operating Procedures

Purpose of the Program

The initial focus of the program is to certify EHR and HIE vendors that are able to reliably exchange health information according to the programs standards-based, finely-tuned specifications. The program will benefit healthcare providers and health IT vendors with a unified plan and approach for interoperability certification thereby improving clarity in the marketplace. And it will reduce costs to vendors by increasing efficiency of interoperability development and testing, minimizing the need for custom interfaces, thereby assisting to bring more affordable, interoperable products to market.

Key Principles of the Program

Simplification for the purchasers: Interoperability has to achieve something for the purchaser that is simple, based on what has been accomplished with technical specifications

Simplification for vendors: A simplified process will help vendors get through development and certification, and providers will know what they are buying. Given the complexity of health IT, this will be an evolutionary process.

Testing Rigor: Testing capabilities must be rigorous, automated where possible, repeatable, documented and objective and tied to publically available specifications.

Marketing: A strong marketing component is needed that promotes the brand, and the value proposition to the providers.

To Submit an Application:

For More Information:

ConCert Advisory Committee Members

For more information on the ConCert Advisory Committee members, please visit the committee website here.

Technical Work Group

Under the direction and guidance of the Advisory Committee, a Technical Work Group was established to provide technical perspective and guidance to the ConCert program, driving successful ongoing development and rollout of future versions of the program, including management of specifications, tooling and other operational aspects, in the interest of driving forward standards-based interoperability.

For more information on the work group, download the work group charter.